REPREVE recycled materials are certified by Oeko-Tex, GRS and SCS. Chips are then melted and extruded through spinning to form long filaments of Repreve polyester fiber. It said nothing about the recycled content. Its coming out in June 2023, and it dives deeper into all the chemicals that show up in all sorts of clothingand what you can do to protect yourself. REPREVE polyester fiber can also have wicking, thermal comfort, and other performance technologies embedded in the fiber. This theory is not so farfetched. For each kilogram of Repreve material produced, up to 62% less energy and 99% less water are used compared to virgin polyester. Visitors discover how bottles are transformed into performance fibers. I am a freelance fashion writer, working alongside brands and entrepreneurs from the textile and fashion industry, who are walking the path of sustainability. Here are the primary ways it compares to virgin polyester. The study on Chinese water bottles indicated that BPA release at four weeks in 158-degree heat was below EPA standards. Take a look at just a short list of the leading brands that rely on Unifi and their innovative Repreve product: As you can see, there are several brands - both small and large - that are already using Repreve fabric in their clothing lines. REPREVE performance combined with trusted sustainability makes a big difference for our future. Unifi's U Trust verification program ensures that Repreve recycled fibers are traceable, transparent, and most importantly, certifiably sustainable. Repreve recycled polyester removes the need for crude oil, refinery, and chemical extraction. And at the end of the day, this organization is reducing the production of virgin polyester while also reusing existing waste, which are both positives. To help take your products further. Made from up to 3 recycled plastic water bottles per yard, it is truly environmentally friendly. The multinational clothing-retail company creates luxury fashion for women and men. Were counting up. They are them extruded into fibers through spinning before being spun into yarn. Also avoid anti-microbial, anti-odor, anti-wrinkle, and (with a few exceptions) anti-stain finishes. Mechanical recycling means melting the fabric back into a liquid or melting the plastic bottle back into a liquid. The latter method, according to a 2017 Swiss Federal Office for the Environment report, has been used for years in the industry while studies for chemical recycling to make it more accessible are still being conducted. The companys dyeing process is an avant-garde solution, thanks to Unifis leading color-matching applications and ethical environmental practices. The most innovative benefit of Repreve fiber is its sustainability compared to traditional virgin polyester fiber. REPREVE frequently asked questions (FAQs), Circulose: The Innovative Circular Cellulose Fabric That You Will Love, AMNI Soul Eco: All You Need To Know About The Sustainable Nylon Fabric, What is fast fashion? REPREVE is the worlds number one brand of recycled performance fiber. To catch some of these microfibers before they make their way into the water system, brands like Rothys sell accompanying wash bags while Girlfriend Collective offers a microfiber filter for your washing machine. To find out more about the cookies we use, please see our Privacy Policy. Recycled or not, polyesters are at the center of the microfiber shedding issue, and we still have more questions than answers about what causes it and how to avoid it." U bet! Other ways to reduce microfiber shedding is to invest in front-loading machines, which are shown to release fewer microfibers than top-loading machines, and to simply wash your clothes on cold water and wash less often. They contribute to the high amount of clothing waste that ends up in landfills every year. Because BPA has completely different effects at low levels than it does at high levels, theres no such thing as a safe level,' Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie wrote in their 2009 book, Slow Death by Rubber Duck. Maybe, the problem is the polyester itself. Is REPREVE fabric durable? Together, we're changing how products are made. It's a high-quality material with great technical performance. REPREVE is a state-of-the-art, performance fiber made from all types of recycled materials, including plastic bottles. First Name *. Hey there! From curtains to carpet to couch covers, your home gets a stylish and sustainable upgrade when using materials made with REPREVE. More than 20 billion plastic bottles have been used since 2008 to produce Repreve polyester. We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. How was it washed and dyed? Zorb Super Absorbent ProSoft ECO-PUL Here are some of the main advantages of fabrics made from Repreve recycled polyester fibers: Some of the main disadvantages of using Repreve polyester in textile fabrics are: Taking good care of your clothes is one of the best ways to live more sustainably. ingle and double covering, REPREVE fabric is wrinkle-resistant and stretchy, which makes it perfect for sportswear and outdoor gear. Join The Zoe Reports exclusive email list for the latest trends, shopping guides, celebrity style, and more. Plastic polymers are created through polymerization. It releases fewer greenhouse gases to the air, saving 646 million kgs. Depending on the fashion brand, the company either purchase this yarn directly from places like REPREVE a brand that makes fiber out of post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste to weave or knit its clothing from (Reformation, Mara Hoffman, and Venus Williams brand EleVen use REPREVE for some of their collections) or a brand oversees the extrusion process completely like Girlfriend Collective. So, what is Repreve fabric? An analysis on fashions impact on the planet, EcoVero Viscose: Why Your Wardrobe Should Include This Amazing Fabric, Are your jeans sustainable? That means, wherever our customers do businesswe provide high-quality, innovative products with transparency, integrity and consistency. Available in REPREVE variants to help you meet your sustainability goals. Consumers are demanding more ethical and ecological alternatives, and brands are answering this urgent call. But thats not all. Together, we're changing how products are made. Panaprium is proud to be 100% independent, free of any influence, and not sponsored. Scientists have found high levels of antimony, a heavy metal and potential carcinogen, though not confirmed as an endocrine disruptor, in water sold in disposable PET bottles, the kind that are recycled into polyester. From ocean-bound plastic bottles to sustainable fiber. You will not de disappointed! You may know that polyester is the most widely used material in clothing, but did you know that nearly 60% of all garments for sale today contain polyester? Theres almost no very pure PET on the market, says Helene Wiesinger, a researcher at ETH Zurich, who published a risk assessment of plastic additives. Only 56% are recycled. The biggest drawback of Repreve polyester is its impact on the environment. REPREVE SULTRA is a composite fiber spun from two or more types of polymers in a cross-section resembling islands (polyester filaments) floating in the sea. To see how we feature current brand partners, follow the link below. Is REPREVE fabric waterproof? I can use virgin polyester and make a yarn thats safe, but then really screw it up at the dying stage [with toxic dyes]. Email Address *. Manufacturers, for example, can receive the SA8000, which helps to protect workers worldwide through a standardized guideline evaluating workers conditions and wages. Similar to other polyester fabrics, Repreve fabric creates clothing with the following technical benefits: These are similar attributes of virgin polyester, which makes it a clear choice for athletic apparel. 2023 Ecocult. A few years ago, a friend forwarded an Instagram story to me from a wellness influencer who was warning her followers against wearing clothing made from recycled bottles. Please tell us what you liked or didn't like in the comments below. Rome is fascinating and romantic. Yes, REPREVE is a reliable and very durable fabric. Polyester is the most widely used fiber worldwide. energy savings and reducing cycle time without compromising your fabric's performance. TOMORROW-FRIENDLY. From a sustainability standpoint, its a brilliant use of material, the repurposing of plastic and [having that] be converted into apparel versus making more virgin plastic says Saskia Van Gendt, head of sustainability at footwear and accessories label Rothys. This is certainly an abridged summary of the process, but Repreve in its simplest form is created in four steps. Here are some of the certification standards awarded to Unifi for its Repreve recycled polyester. Unifi launched REPREVE in 2007. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. But can you recycle it andwear itand be OK? It is available in multiple colors and patterns, as well as in a variety of sizes from 3-6 mm. By recycling over 30 billion water bottles to make Repreve, Unifi has saved enough energy to power over 280,000 homes for a year, provide yearly drinking water for 3.5 billion people and eliminate the CO2 emissions from 1.8 billion barrels of oil. Most consumers might be surprised to find out that some of their favorite brands are leveraging this sustainable fiber in their latest clothing lines. The first step in the making of REPREVE fiber is sourcing and purchasing recycled plastic bottles and post-industrial waste (including the companys own waste) from Materials Recycling Facilities in different countries, which are recovered from landfills and ocean trash. Many of the everyday brands you know and love use REPREVE for its high-quality performance. H&M, New Balance, Nike, Patagonia, and many other global fashion brands use Repreve. Solutions For Your Business. We source bottles across the globe in partnership with communities and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). All content Copyright Unifi, Inc., 2023. Recycled polyester is a leading example of how the global textile and apparel industry works to find solutions to its catastrophic social and environmental impacts. • Please enter your company's name. Sure, those are important, but they are also table stakes. REPREVE is made by Unifi, a family of synthetic fibers containing recycled materials. After all, youve likely heeded the advice to not reuse single-use plastic bottles over and over they can leach chemicals and harbor bacteria growth so what would, then, make plastic safe to wear on your body. Company Size *. Synthetic fabrics made of polyester destroy ecosystems and nature. The document you have requested is ready for you to download. REPREVE recycled materials are certified by Oeko-Tex, GRS and SCS. The world's trusted guide to sustainable and ethical fashion. The first place to begin this sustainable journey is looking for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional (and polluting) materials and fabrics. Though some companies like Reformation and ADAY do have take-back programs. From any point in the supply chain and through the life of the product, using our unique FiberPrint tracer technology, we can test your fabrics and products to verify REPREVE is in there, and in the right amounts - to protect what . Use it to make almost anything sustainable, with filament, staple fiber and fiber fill products. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Please provide the information below, and the document you're requesting will be available to download immediately. But, It is important to recognize that terephthalates are not suspected to be endocrine disruptors in the same way that ortho-phthalates are, Mulvihill said. Solutions For Your Business, Enhanced services to fit your fiber's every need, Find out how and what is means to get your sustainable material certified, Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, From Asia to the Americas, Unifi's reach is global, Discover REPREVE recycled and performance fabric turned out to be such an innovative, high-quality material that brands from all kinds of industries have joined the sustainable movement. Additionally, as consumer demand for sustainable apparel increases, more and more brands will begin to use recycled polyester like Repreve in their products. It is a polyester fiber. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Our tests showed that our wash bags reduce the release of microfibers by 65 percent, reveals Van Gendt. Yes, REPREVE is a reliable and very durable fabric. Zorb Super Absorbent ProSoft . Made from plastic bottles and fresh hope, we help you do more with less. Country *. Recycled. Company Name *. Recycling plastic also consumes lots of chemicals, energy, and water. But, it does still require post-consumer plastic that initially used fossil fuels. "The cooling technology is inherent within the yarn, not requiring the addition of chemicals," states Jeff Veach, vice-president of sales and marketing for Culp Home Fashions. It diverts plastic waste from landfills to create durable, sustainable fibers that can be used in textile fabrics. Finally, the chip is heated, extruded and spun into the options shown in our Fiber Folio. Repreve Recycled Fabrics Zorb Super Absorbent Waterproof Eco-PUL ProCool One-Way Wicking Bamboo Fabrics Organic Cotton Fabrics X-95 Reusable Masks Face Masks Fabric Finder . In this sense, Repreve fiber uses far less energy and water than traditional polyester manufacturing processes - in fact, recycled polyester has 32% fewer emissions compared to virgin polyester. As you source any sort of activewear or athletic apparel that relies heavily on polyester, explore your options for recycled polyester or at least other recycled clothing options. Repreve polyester isn't the most sustainable fiber but its environmental impact is much lower than virgin polyester made from the raw material. Repreves recycled content and manufacturing processes are also certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) a trusted third party in the environmental space. Theyre not one of the phthalates banned in the European Union, for example. Since there are so many hands involved in the supply chain process, for consumers wondering where the transparency lies in making sure the final garment is free from harmful chemicals or that the facilities involved from step A to Z are socially ethical (like making sure workers in the mills are paid fairly), this is where certifications come in. Why should you care? Polyester is made from synthetic materials derived from petroleum-based chemicals or petrochemical products. In addition, for fashion brands working with suppliers that collect water bottles and recycle them for yarn, the suppliers should be GRS certified (The Global Recycled Standard). BPA and other bisphenols may be used as dye-fixing agents for polyester and polyamide textiles. sport [Converting] water bottles into resin is done at a huge scale, but clothing back into clothing isnt done yet on a kind of appreciable scale, says Mulvihill. And the plastic industry could account for 20% of the worlds total oil consumption. The bottles are collected within 50K of coastlines in countries or areas that lack formal waste or recycling systems, so your brand can play an even bigger role in solving the ocean pollution problem: developing recycling programs in areas where plastic is most at risk of entering a marine environment. All blend fashion with function when made with REPREVE. Were Earth Nerds and we take it seriously. This link is for internal use only.Please do not share publicly. There are some environmental trade-offs [when] compared to cotton because cotton uses a lot more water, and cotton dying is actually a lot nastier than polyester dying. In order to effectively reduce fashion waste, shopping secondhand and buying fewer clothes are some routes you can take. REPREVE is a performance fiber made from recycled plastic bottles. Please use the feedack button in the bottom right corner to submit suggestions. The fabric also traps odors, which Popular Science explained in an article. Spin filament threads into yarn and dye as necessary. temperature than standard polyester, yielding substantial We take yesterdays waste and give it a second life as sustainable fiber. A better way to reduce textile waste is upcycling. The amount of contamination probably isnt zero, but I havent seen any data to indicate it is a serious concernI think that this could be an example of how the public messaging around plastic = bad when it comes to food is having an unintended consequence, Mulvihill concluded in his 2019 email. But the global rPET market is declining due to China's waste import ban at the end of 2017. Another benefit of bioplastics is their biodegradability relative to polyester fibers, which by comparison take hundreds of years to degrade. And since polyester is not biodegradable, once a consumer is finished with it, it most often ends up in landfills. REPREVE is the world's leading brand of recycled performance fiber. Here are some ethical fashion brands that create clothes out of Repreve recycled polyester to inspire sustainable change: Was this article helpful to you? , yielding substantial we take yesterdays waste and give it a second life as sustainable fiber spinning before spun. 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The is repreve fabric safe banned in the comments below like Reformation and ADAY do take-back. Are the primary ways it compares to virgin polyester have requested is ready for to... To degrade every year biodegradable, once a consumer is finished with it, it is environmentally! Guides, celebrity style, and the document you have requested is ready for you to download we source across! And nature that BPA release at four weeks in 158-degree heat was below EPA....